Japan arrests 15 Russian sailors

Source: Itar-Tass

The Japanese Coast Guard detained a ship with 15 Russian sailors on board. The ship with the flag of Cambodia was engaged in crab poaching in the exclusive economic zone in the waters near the island of Hokkaido.

As reported by the Russian Consulate General in Sapporo, the detainees led by Captain Igor Filichkin stay in the port city of Monbetsu. Formal charges have not been brought against the sailors yet: it usually takes Japanese authorities 48 hours to do that.

In late 2011, the Japanese detained a Russian captain, whose vessel was engaged in illegal crab poaching in these waters. The court sentenced the Russian to a fine of 20,000 U.S. dollars.

It should be noted that both Russian and Japanese fishermen are caught for poaching on a regular basis.